diff --git a/tools/testing/selftests/net/txtimestamp.c b/tools/testing/selftests/net/txtimestamp.c
index ec60a16c9307..d626f22f9550 100644
--- a/tools/testing/selftests/net/txtimestamp.c
+++ b/tools/testing/selftests/net/txtimestamp.c
@@ -356,8 +356,12 @@ static void __recv_errmsg_cmsg(struct msghdr *msg, int payload_len)
 		}
 	}
 
-	if (batch > 1)
+	if (batch > 1) {
 		fprintf(stderr, "batched %d timestamps\n", batch);
+	} else if (!batch) {
+		fprintf(stderr, "Failed to report timestamps\n");
+		test_failed = true;
+	}
 }
 
 static int recv_errmsg(int fd)